Migraine is more than a bad headache. It is a neurological condition that can derail your whole day, and for many people, whole days add up to weeks. Here is what we know about migraines, where chiropractic care fits in, and what to realistically expect.
A migraine is a neurological event. The pain is typically moderate to severe, one-sided, and throbbing, but the headache is only part of what is happening.
Most people with migraine also experience sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. About a third experience an aura beforehand. Research published in Lancet Neurology describes the trigeminovascular system as central to migraine, where activation of trigeminal nerve pathways triggers the release of inflammatory neuropeptides that produce the characteristic pain and sensitivity.
Migraine affects roughly 15% of the population, making it one of the most common neurological conditions globally. For many people it is episodic. For others it becomes chronic, occurring 15 or more days per month, with significant impact on work, relationships, and daily life.
Triggers vary between individuals, which is why a careful history is an important part of assessment.
Changes in hormone levels may contribute to attacks for some people.
Too little, too much, or inconsistent sleep can lower the migraine threshold.
Stress and the period immediately after stress can both be associated with attacks.
Individual food triggers, alcohol, and inadequate hydration are commonly reported.
Bright or flickering lights and strong smells may provoke symptoms.
Neck pain and muscle tension are frequently reported as triggers or early warning signs.
The evidence is genuinely mixed, and you deserve an accurate picture.
A 2011 systematic review in the Journal of Headache and Pain found that manual therapies including spinal manipulation, massage, and physiotherapy may be comparably effective to propranolol and topiramate for prophylactic migraine management.
A pilot randomised controlled trial published in Cephalalgia found that multimodal chiropractic care reduced migraine days by an average of 2.9 days compared with 1.0 day in the usual-care group.
A 2024 updated meta-analysis pooling six randomised trials found that spinal manipulation used in isolation had no statistically significant effect on migraine intensity or quality of life.
The authors concluded that the effectiveness of spinal manipulation alone for migraine remains unproven.
That last finding is important, and it is exactly why at Lakeside we do not treat migraine with spinal manipulation alone. The research points toward a multimodal approach being more effective than any single technique.
When a migraine patient comes in, we assess the whole picture: the cervical spine, soft tissue, posture, and lifestyle load.
A randomised trial on soft tissue therapy found that suboccipital inhibitory techniques combined with trigger point therapy significantly reduced migraine impact scores and disability compared with trigger point therapy alone, supporting the case for combining approaches.
The trigeminal nerve and the upper cervical nerves converge in the brainstem at the trigeminocervical nucleus. Dysfunction or irritation in the upper neck can lower the threshold at which a migraine is triggered.
Many migraine sufferers also have neck pain, reduced cervical mobility, and tender suboccipital trigger points. Addressing this cervical component does not cure migraine, but for some people it meaningfully reduces how often and how severely attacks occur.
We will not tell you chiropractic care will eliminate your migraines. What we can offer is a thorough assessment of whether there is a musculoskeletal component worth addressing.
Some patients notice a meaningful reduction in frequency or severity. Others notice less difference. We will give you an honest read from the start.
We see patients from across Joondalup, Currambine, Woodvale, Kingsley, Wanneroo, and Duncraig. Call 9300 0095 or visit lakesidechiro.com.au.
Chiropractic care works best as part of a broader migraine management plan.
If your migraines are frequent, severely debilitating, or changing in character, speak with your GP. Newer CGRP inhibitor treatments have strong evidence behind them and are worth discussing. We are happy to work alongside your medical team.
Disclaimer: This page provides general health information only and is not a substitute for professional assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Results vary between individuals. If you are experiencing severe or frequent migraines, please consult a qualified medical professional.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Monday | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
